Water Project Update

Posted on Apr 25, 2018

Art Lyons spoke this morning about past international projects and current efforts being done on behalf of the Holmen Area Rotary Club. Providing clean water is one of the 6 main missions of Rotary. According to Rotary International, "Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families."

It all started 8 years ago with HARC establishing a contact with a Rotary Club La Molina in Peru and utilizing Water Missions International's expertise to start a project to provide 220 sand filters to a community in need. The initial project was possible by taking advantage of Rotary's ability to amplify funds through Rotary grants. The $7K from HARC was matched by the Rotary District office and again matched by Rotary International to fund a $25K project. This project was very successful and used as a template by other Rotary Clubs to further fulfill the need. Ultimately 5000 of these special sand filters have been installed into Peruvian households. For info on the Peruvian water filter project watch the video at https://player.vimeo.com/video/33735494

In 2017, the Holmen Area Rotary Club partnered with the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club to assist with their $50K Peruvian water project in the community of Ivan Vasquez. The project includes a central, solar powered treatment facility and Rotary's WASH hygiene education program. The facility becomes a public utility for sustainability in the community. The project for 2018 is to continue to partner with the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club and establish a similar solar powered treatment facility for the Peruvian community of Monte Castillo. Monte Castillo is a larger community of 12,000 people with a school and clinic. This project carries a $80K price tag but is again possible through the ability to take initial donations and increase them through available Rotary grants. To learn more about Rotary's water projects go to https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/providing-clean-water .